A number of Chinese Android models have been found to contain back doors. And you CAN use an iPhone without Apple if you jailbreak. That said, Apple has taken

A number of Chinese Android models have been found to contain back doors. And you CAN use an iPhone without Apple if you jailbreak. That said, Apple has taken a number of social policy positions and my 3 year old 6 Plus is getting the latest OS this fall, and for my load, the battery life is still well beyond a work days. It's expensive but I'd end up chucking half a dozen cheap Android phones by now. Ultimately spending the same amount I know all about walled gardens and don't care. I bought a device with long term intent. So far I've been "rewarded" for the decision Meanwhile, official Android gadgets are quickly deprecated, leaky dinghy security wise and AOSP is a time consuming PITA